As fans already know, Peacemaker was quite a lesser-known character in DC comics (and Charlton Comics before DC acquired the character). A traumatized mercenary who is hellbent on achieving peace “by all means possible”, Peacemaker received a more light-hearted take thanks to James Gunn’s ongoing HBO Max series. Once known for its “dark” stories, the DC Extended Universe is definitely exploring more humor with Peacemaker and movies like Shazam and The Suicide Squad.
All that said, it’s high time for a few other cult-favorite characters to join the cinematic universe and get their very own shows like Peacemaker. These are heroes and villains who might otherwise not fit the bill of a dramatic protagonist but with new-age narratives like the John Cena-led series, anything is possible.
Jason Todd
An early version of Robin in Batman comics, Jason Todd has definitely had one of the most dramatic Batman comic arcs following his death at the hands of the Joker. However, years later when he resurges as the vigilante Red Hood, he has become quite an interesting antihero. Armed with weapons and a morbid sense of humor, Todd has stopped working in the shadow of Batman and relies on his own impulsive decisions.
While Jason Todd has already been introduced in Titans, an alternate series solely dedicated to the character would make for an interesting watch. Much like Peacemaker, this Jason Todd series can focus on his individual mission, his interactions with other hitmen, and the character’s sarcastic views on Batman.
Plastic Man
Plastic Man is a constant member of the Justice League and has even been an annoying sidekick to heroes like Batman. His powers include extreme elasticity, much like Marvel’s Mr. Fantastic. The only difference is that while the latter is an uptight scientist, Plastic Man is a fast-talking, streetsmart criminal. He uses his elastic skin to great comedic effect. There’s probably no other comic book superhero who can execute slapstick comedy like him.
While most of DCEU’s humor is dialogue-driven or rooted in self-aware satire, an over-the-top Plastic Man series would be perfect for adding a touch of physicality to DCEU’s emerging brand of comedy.
King Shark
Once an obscure villain, King Shark has become one of the DCEU’s most beloved characters, thanks to its appearance in The Suicide Squad. Sylvester Stallone voiced the character for only a few dialogues but each one of them has gone down in the list of funniest quotes in the DCEU. Ron Funches’ take on the character in the animated Harley Quinn series also adds a touch of naivety in the otherwise-intimidating looking character.
As even non-comic book fans are cheering on for this new-age comedic version of the Great White, it is high time that King Shark gets his very own series.
Booster Gold And Blue Beetle
Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are inseparable as they go down as one of DC’s first comedic duos. More than their powers, these members of Justice League International are known for their hilarious antics that include pranking peers like Martian Manhunter or just taking sarcastic jibes at each other.
If Batman and Superman’s friendship charters territories of heroic responsibility, Booster Gold and Blue Beetle’s bond serves as the perfect opposite. When duty calls, they are ready to be responsible. But otherwise, both characters represent a more fun-loving take on everyday superheroism.
Lobo
Lobo is the ultimate antihero in DC Comics. Not only is he extremely powerful but he is quite funny too. The interstellar mercenary often teams up with unlikely heroes and villains, much like Suicide Squad members like Peacemaker.
Lobo would perfectly work for a “meta” TV series as the earliest comics from the 1990s were filled with self-aware humor. Despite his cosmic adventures and powers, Lobo serves as the perfect parody of grim and gritty hypermasculine characters like the Marvel Comics heroes Wolverine and Punisher. A Lobo TV series in the same vein would make for a refreshing watch.
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug is one of DC’s earliest “silly” characters. He’s basically a humanoid bug-like creature that wears a suit and carries miniature robot bugs with him. The antihero might look like a kiddish stock character on the surface but his powers include teleporting to anywhere in the Multiverse. He has also been affiliated with teams in DC Comics like Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad both of which are known to feature such offbeat characters.
Just the visual aesthetic and concept behind Ambush Bug sets him apart for his own TV series. As his stories have pretty much been bizarre and surreal in tone, the showrunners would have more flexibility in exploring new avenues.
John Constantine
The demon-hunter John Constantine has had his fair share of emotionally intense stories in the initial Hellblazer comics. However, in recent times, his appearances in comics, animation, and live-action have also added more to his dry British humor. All in all, the lore of Constantine is being adorned with classic horror as well as deadpan comedy.
The Matt Ryan-lead Constantine series lasted for only one season but his portrayal continued drawing positive reactions in Legends of Tomorrow and the Justice League animated movies. And if lesser-known characters like Peacemaker can become popular on TV, a cult favorite like Constantine can easily cash in on another attempt at a standalone series.
Metamorpho
Much like Ambush Bug, Metamorpho is one of the most bizarre characters of DC Comics’ early years. His powers include shapeshifting into any material possible and he also possesses immortality. Despite these immense powers, his multicolored and multi-elemental physical appearance is bound to draw laughter.
Since the Silver Age of comic books, Metamorpho has fallen into obscurity. But a Peacemaker-style revival might just help him get a unique spotlight. If a comic-accurate Metamorpho is used for the series, then it would also be a hilarious tribute to a simpler age of comic books.
Guy Gardner
Be it Hal Jordan or Kyle Raner, most of the human members of the Green Lantern Corps are regarded highly for their leadership skills and heroic responsibilities. Guy Gardner is a slight exception in this regard for his self-obsessive and cocky personality. Still, at the end of the day, he does save the day.
In an era of perfect heroes, Guy Gardner can be the relatable and imperfect Green Lantern. Just because he wears a green power ring doesn’t mean that he can’t have his flaws. In fact, Gardner’s personality traits also resemble that of John Cena (especially in his Peacemaker avatar).
Detective Chimp
Detective Chimp is exactly what his name indicates. Wearing a deerstalker hat like Sherlock Holmes, the chimpanzee investigates cases with his superhuman intelligence. If his detective abilities weren’t enough, he also has great sword-fighting and marksmanship skills. Apart from cameoing in Golden Age and Silver Age comics, he has also appeared alongside Flash, Green Lantern and others in modern titles.
A show with a talking detective chimpanzee sounds like a good break from the usual human superheroes. Further, a Detective Chimp show can also include similar superpowered animals as the ape works with a group of intellectually-advanced animals called the Bureau of Amplified Animals.